‘Simon said there were a couple of fellows hanging around the gate close to the Nanyuki road, the day before the cattle were killed,’ Lars answered. ‘They were looking for work. Kipchoge saw them talking to Simon, but he doesn’t remember anything particular about them. I was in Nanyuki that morning, and by the time I got back and Simon told me about them, they were gone. Poor old Kamau and Mwangi were really shook up, when they saw the cows. And Kipchoge was scared as hell, too. All the watu were. Of course Kamau immediately said Simon should be questioned first, because he’s only been here a short time. But Simon was more upset than anyone else. Terrified. It’s a bad shauri all round.’

‘Kamau has never forgiven me since I chose Simon for the best job at the lodge,’ Hannah said. ‘The old man wouldn’t have anything to do with this, I know. But what about David?’

‘You’re training him as a chef,’ Piet said. ‘And their grumbles don’t mean that much. I’ve had similar sulking from Kipchoge who knows perfectly well he couldn’t do Simon’s job. He only spent four years at school, and he never learned any proper English, but his nose is out of joint anyway. I’ve told him he’s the best tracker and syce anyone could want. I’ve explained that he’s going to take charge of the game rangers when we start training them. But he still feels he’s been passed over. He’s convinced it’s better to be working in an office.’

‘While you were away there were arguments about who was in charge of the stores, and the ordering of kitchen supplies, and the feed for the horses,’ Lars said. ‘All manner of little power struggles.’

‘I’ve showed Kamau the certificates Simon brought, explained that he can do bookkeeping and typing and so, but it doesn’t make any impression,’ Hannah said, her voice tired. ‘They’re all like children at the end of the day. We’ll always have to go on sorting out their squabbles.’

‘I’m not going to worry about any of them right now,’ Piet said. ‘It’s always the same when we take on someone new. Pa often had the same problem. They’ll find a way of getting along eventually. Maybe this thing will even pull them together. So what about security?’ Piet asked.